Athens’ annual military parade to celebrate the start of the Greek War of Independence on March 25 was attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, military leadership, and representatives of the political world.
Three voluntary units of the Hellenic Red Cross led the parade with injured war veterans. The parade featured the Armed Forces, Security Corps, military academies, and the Evzones of the Presidential Guard. Hellenic Air Force jets and helicopters flew overhead during the parade.
Athens residents lined the streets from the morning, eager to watch the military parade as it passed before the Parliament building and concluded at the Omonia Square area.
The official ceremonies began at 6:21am with a 21-gun salute fired from Lycabettus Hill, and a reveille performed by sections of the Armed Forces and Security Forces. This was followed by the official raising of the Greek flag at the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis.
A doxology also took place at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral officiated by Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece. It was attended by President Tassoulas, PM Mitsotakis, Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis, and Greek and foreign officials.
Later President Tassoulas laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square.
The celebrations concluded with a lowering of the flag on the Acropolis and another 21-gun salute from Lycabettus Hill.
This year’s parade was defined by the display of advanced weapon systems, showcasing Greece’s transition into a new era of military capability. A key highlight was the ‘Kentavros’ anti-drone system, the joint product of the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry. The product has already been deployed by units of the Hellenic Navy in the Red Sea and Cyprus.
Throughout the commemorative period, military sites and naval vessels have been adorned with Greek flags to mark the anniversary. The flags were illuminated for the anniversary of Greek Independence Day and also the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
Source: ANA-MPA
